On November 30, 2021, Ashley Orlando spoke to the membership of the Magnolia Rotary Club about how to combat "Imposter Syndrome". Pictured above from left to right are Ashley Orlando and Kelly McDonald (President of the Magnolia Rotary Club).
 
Ashley Orlando was introduced as a bilingual (English/French) jazz vocalist / ukulele artist, public relations pro and community builder who loves using music to help people find their voice, dream big and develop the outward presence to make their dreams a reality. "Music is one language that transcends cultural barriers", she says, and it has given her the opportunity to sing not only in her native U.S., but also in Canada and Europe.

Originally from Louisiana, Ashley’s childhood dream was to become the voice of a Disney princess. But life intervened and eventually music got placed on the back burner. While completing a master's degree in Paris years later, Ashley connected with the French jazz scene, dancing swing and listening to live bands in the same underground "caveau" joints that musical greats like Sidney Bechet once played. Le coup de foudre ("love at first sight") for music struck Ashley once again. A subsequent move to Texas and chance encounters with the ukulele and the kazoo prompted her to jump head-first into the Houston and international ukulele music scenes. Now Ashley combines her extensive professional background in PR, intercultural relations, and nonprofits with her music to inspire & coach others to step outside their comfort zones and lead more fulfilling lives.
 
Ashley started her talk by asking anyone if they have ever felt like an imposter due to a fear of failure and of course everyone in the room raised their hands. She explained that the dictionary defines "Imposter Syndrome" as a false and sometimes crippling belief that one's successes are the product of luck or fraud rather than skill. She than spoke to some of her own failures and why those failures were caused by the fear of not being what everyone in a room believes you are. Ashley explained that she sees "Imposter Syndrome" as an "Equal Opportunity Destroyer" because it prevents people from being all they can be. However, she explained that although "Imposter Syndrome" is all in our head but it feels very real at the time it is experienced. The trick to overcoming the syndrome is to learn how to not let it prevent anyone from doing something. Ashley listed several well known people who (like Tom Hanks) who are at the height of a successful career but will still admit that they have to deal with this very real syndrome. They have just learned to not let it stop them from doing what the want to do.
 
Ashley then described some of the techniques that anyone can use to overcome "Imposter Syndrome":
  1. Understand that a human life is very similar to a plant seed in that both start out as something that needs a great deal of help to grow to its full potential. People need to cultivate a life long growth posture instead of letting failure stop them from moving forward.
  2. When a failure occurs, an individual needs to not be critical of themselves but to look for ways to overcome the failure and not let it happen again. She talked about her own desire to live and work in France even though she did not know the French language. To overcome the problem, she put the time in needed to eventually become proficient in French and eventually realized her goal of living and working in France.
  3. Use "Power Posing" such as a "Super Women" stance or raising your arms which projects confidence to your audience. These body moves help your brain believe that what you are attempting is possible thereby translating into better action.
  4. Find a mission or cause that you truly believe in to be your driving force. Or as Ashley put it, "Find your why!".
During her talk, Ashley played her ukulele and sang the following songs:
  • L.O.V.E.
  • I want to be like you
  • Twinkle, Twinkle little star
Ashley then told everyone that Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream!" speech on August 23, 1963 and two decades later she was born and her dream is to help others find their voice.
 
For more information about Ashley Orlando, go to: https://www.ashleyorlando.com/
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